ainu
|ai-nu|
C1
/ˈaɪnuː/
indigenous people
Etymology
Etymology Information
'ainu' originates from the Ainu language, specifically the word 'aynu,' where 'aynu' meant 'human' or 'person.'
Historical Evolution
'aynu' was adopted into Japanese as 'アイヌ' and eventually became the English word 'ainu.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'human' or 'person,' but over time it evolved to specifically refer to the indigenous people of Japan known as the Ainu.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a member of an indigenous people of Japan, primarily living in Hokkaido.
The Ainu have a rich cultural heritage.
Noun 2
the language spoken by the Ainu people.
The Ainu language is considered endangered.
Last updated: 2025/06/07 05:21